Ways to get involved!
“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.”
—Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Formed in 2018, the Moralea’s Meadow volunteer group consists of community members who meet weekly to work in the Meadow. In 2023, we were honoured to receive the Metchosin Volunteer Group of the Year award.
Volunteering Your Time
This group performs many diverse tasks including:
- Removing non-native plants, especially grasses
- Preparing planting beds and adding plants
- Gathering and applying mulch
- Gathering seeds and plants from rescue sites for planting in the Meadow
- Building hardscape such as paths, gates, and fences
- Working with designers to create signage and other educational materials
- Sending out emails to notify the group of upcoming activities
- Communicating with sponsor groups including annual reports
- Writing grant applications
- Photographing and documenting the Meadow inhabitants through the seasons
- Maintaining the website and social media
This list includes tasks that require moderate physical fitness and others that can be done at a desk. In addition to what volunteers are asked to give, working in the Meadow has much to offer.
- Access to expert knowledge about native plants and native plant gardening
- Instruction in effective restoration techniques
- Opportunities to use existing skills and learn new ones (photography, writing)
- Opportunities to work in a lovely natural environment
- Group identity and camaraderie
We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, interests, and skill levels.
If you would like to learn more about volunteering in Moralea’s Meadow or to sign up as a volunteer, please contact us.
Metchosin Muse: Inspired by Earth Day? Here’s a Way to Carry It On! (May 2021)
Garden With Native Plants
What you need to know…
Moralea’s Meadow is an example of a Garry oak meadow restoration, but we hope it will be an inspiration for visitors to include native plants in their own gardens. There are many reasons to do this.
Even small pockets of native plants can provide food, shelter, and nest sites for local and migrating species.
There are many native plants that do not need any water once they are established. With our increasingly dry summers, they will help reduce water costs and maintenance.
Native plants are under increasing threat in the wild due to urban sprawl, development, and encroachment by invasive non-native plants. Re-locating rescued plants improves their chance of survival.
Many native plants and trees are adapted to fire. Including them increases the resiliency of your property to wildfire.
How to obtain native plants:
- Never take native plants from the wild without permission.
- Purchase plants at native plant sales such as those at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.
- Purchase plants and seeds from local native plant nurseries, such as Satinflower Nurseries.
- Plant Moralea’s Meadow seeds from packets given out at our public events.
- Contact Habitat Acquisition Trust about their plant rescue projects.
Ways to Give
Moralea’s Meadow is supported by the District of Metchosin, non-profit organizations, a Metchosin-based small business, and individuals. We have gratefully received donations of money, plants, equipment, and labour. Most of our financial support comes from the Metchosin Foundation which accepts donations on behalf of Moralea’s Meadow through their secure donation website.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Moralea’s Meadow. Your financial support will ensure that the restoration work in the Meadow continues. The landscape is maintained to enhance biodiversity and as a permanent memorial to Moralea Milne.
To make a tax-deductible donation, visit the Make a Donation page. Be sure to select “4-Moralea’s Meadow” from the drop-down menu of the required “Fund” field. If you use Interac e-Transfer or cheque, please indicate in the note field that you are supporting Moralea’s Meadow.
If you would like to donate plants, seeds, equipment or your time, please contact info@moraleasmeadow.ca.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
